Category: MMA

Frank Mir is one of my favorite MMA fighters.  In this short video interview Mir tells what happened in the Carwin fight [no excuses], his thoughts on a potential fight with Anderson Silva [he’d welcome it] and does he still want to fight Brock Lesnar [he does].  It’s a nice little interview brought to us by the good folks at MixedMartialArts.com.

Strikeforce: Nashville was held last night and aired on CBS.  Three titles were on the line and all three fights were exciting examples of an underdog going into a fight well prepared, with a plan that he stuck to that led to a win.

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs Gegard Mousasi.  In just his seventh fight, King Mo was a huge underdog going in against Mousasi, who held the title.  From the first round on, King Mo was able to take down Mousasi at will.  Early in the fight it appeared that King Mo was going to gas out.  At the end of the second round, Mo appeared to have trouble standing and walking back to his corner — he was that tired.  Yet, Mo continued to score takedown after takedown and ended up winning the decision.

Gil Melendez [Strikeforce Champion] was the underdog when he entered the octogan against Shinya Aoki.  Most experts thought that once the fight went to the ground Aoki would submit Melendez.  It seemed that even Melendez thought that a possibility when the fight started — so his plan was to make this a standup war.  And he did.  Each time Aoki attempted to take Melendez down, Melendez punished him with hard punches.  Melendez had a beautiful fight plan, stuck to it, and won a unanimous decision.

The biggest upset of the night was Strikeforce Champion Jake Shields scoring a unanimous decision against Dan Henderson.  Early in the first round it looked to be lights out for Shields when Henderson rocked him with a punch that dropped him.  Shields recovered enough to keep the fight going, but was dropped again in the first.  Again it looked to be an early night for Henderson.  Shields didn’t see it that way.  From the second round on, he scored takedown after takedown and dominated Henderson.  Several times Shields even achieved a full mount to rain down punches on Henderson, who to his credit, each time was able to avoid a ref stoppage.  Shields earned a well deserved unanimous decision.

If you’re an MMA fan, then you’re probably aware of the controversy surrounding Anderson Silva’s unanimous decision win over Damian Maia.  Dana White has repeatedly apologized for Silva’s performance and went on to say:

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed in the ten years of being in this business.”

This is the third performance by Silva that has resulted in the same type of clowning and showboating.  Some are blaming the lack of competition for Silva in the middleweight division.  Others say Silva has an obligation to be serious and to finish fights.  Here’s my take on the situation:

• If Silva is dissatisfied with the opponents available in the division, then move down or up a weight class.   To take a fight and then clown and showboat is disrespectful to his opponent and to the fans who paid to watch the fight.

• If Silva is content to stay on his feet and strike, that is his choice.  He is the champion.  Silva is not obligated to go to the mat or change his style to make for a more exciting fight.  If Silva is content to win by decisions, to not finish fights, to keep himself out of dangerous situations, that is his right.  Fans may find the fights boring and decide not to buy his pay-per-views and that is their right.

• Silva is a world class athlete.  He has been called the best pound-per-pound fighter in the world.  He may be, but if he continues to showboat and disrespect his opponents and fans, his popularity will take a nosedive.  He’ll be consider a world class, well, it won’t be athlete.

So what’s next for Anderson Silva?  Some say GSP.  Dana White said he’s not interested in that fight.  Chael Sonnen says he’d like a shot at Silva.  Michael David Smith at MMAFighting.com thinks Silva should move to heavyweight and give Frank Mir a try.  I wonder if Mir would want the opportunity? I really don’t care who Silva fights next as long as he gives it his best and leaves the showboating behind.

UFC 112 is now history.  Here are the results and my earlier predictions:

• Mark “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” Munoz (7-1) vs. Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (11-6).

Prediction: “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” wrecks “Da Spyder.” Munoz win by TKO.

Result: Munoz won by TKO due to strikes in round 2 which makes me 1-0 with a perfect call of TKO.

• Matt Hughes (43-7) vs. Renzo Gracie (13-6-1)
  

Prediction: Hughes win via unanimous decision.

Result: Hughes wins by TKO due to strikes in round 3 at the 4:40 mark. Although that keeps me perfect at 2-0, I missed calling how the fight would end.  If only Gracie could have held on for 20 more seconds!

• BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (15-5-1) vs. Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (11-1)
  

Prediction: “The Prodigy” knows “The Answer” to defeating Edgar. Penn win via submission.

Result: Edgar defeats Penn by unanimous decision to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion! What an upset.  Hats off to Edgar for find “The Answer” needed to beat “The Prodigy.”  That knocks me down to 2-1.

• Anderson “The Spider” Silva (25-4) vs. Demian Maia (12-1)
  

Prediction: Silva wins by KO.

Result: Silva defeats Maia with a lackluster performance but a unanimous decision and retains the UFC Middleweight Title.  Although I was wrong about how it would end, I did pick Silva and so I end the night at 3-1 or 75%.

Silva clowned and danced and was warned by the ref in later rounds to mix it up.  Yet, Silva was content to stay on the outside and pick his shots.  Maia, for his part, tried to make the fight competitive and continued to swing for the fences for all the good it did.   Dana White was very upset by Silva’s performance and told the press:

“… what a disgrace the main event was… To end it the way that we did was an embarrasment for me, the UFC, the Fertittas and  the UAE… I’m so blown away and disgusted and saddened… I don’t know how yet, but I will make this up to the fans… ”

According to Steve Cofield of YaHoo Sports

White also said Silva may be the first UFC champ to fight on the non-televised prelims in the future.

While 75% ain’t bad, I bet I feel better about my wins than Silva does his.

UFC 112 takes place later this afternoon live from the Concert Arena in Ferrari World on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.  There are four fights that interest me and here are my predictions:

• Mark “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” Munoz (7-1) vs. Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (11-6). Munoz is coming in to this fight with a 3 win streak.  Munoz has the better stand-up and wrestling skills.  Grove, a former Ultimate Fighter winner, has a six inch height advantage and better bjj skills.  The question becomes will Grove be able to use his reach advantage to prevent takedowns?  If taken down will he be able to submit Munoz?  I think not.

Prediction: “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” wrecks “Da Spyder.”  Munoz win by TKO.

• Matt Hughes (43-7) vs. Renzo Gracie (13-6-1)
  Hughes will have the wrestling, strength and experience advantage.  He’ll also be the crowd favorite.  While it’s true that Hughes is no longer as young as he once was, he won’t have to be.  Gracie is 43 years old, hasn’t had an MMA fight in three years and in the five years before that had won only once while losing six times.

Prediction: Hughes win via unanimous decision.

• BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (15-5-1) vs. Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (11-1)
  Edgar is a tough kid with a great record.  He’s a small lightweight, but that hasn’t stopped him from imposing his will in previous fights.  Of course in previous fights, he wasn’t facing “The Prodigy.”  Edgar’s greatest strength, besides his toughness, is his wrestling.  Unfortunately for him, Penn’s takedown defense is legendary.  Penn has not lost a fight at this weight class in eight years and he’s faced the best in the division.

Prediction: “The Prodigy” knows “The Answer” to defeating Edgar.  Penn win via submission.

• Anderson “The Spider” Silva (25-4) vs. Demian Maia (12-1)
  If Maia can get Silva to the ground things could interesting.  I just don’t see that happening.  Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and although Maia is world class, as in Highlander, there can only be one, and that, at least right now, is Anderson Silva.

Prediction: Silva wins by KO.

We’ll know the results later today.  They’ll be posted here tonight or tomorrow.

Tonight the UFC presents Fight Night free on SPIKE as a lead in to the new season of The Ultimate Fighter with coaches Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell.  Here are my predictions for Fight Night:

• Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson vs Dennis Siver.  Pearson is bigger, has the better record and a nickname.

Prediction: Pearson gets the win.

• Nate “The Rock” Quarry vs Jorge “El Conquistador” Riveria.

Prediction: Quarry will win and the fight may not go the distance.

• Roy “Big Country” Nelson vs Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve.

Prediction: At 6’11”, Skyscraper is going to fall a long way before hitting the mat.  Nelson by TKO or KO.

• Kenny “KenFlo” Florian vs Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi.  What kind of nicknames are these?  Are nicknames supposed to be intimidating or at least cool?  “KenFlo” sounds like a floor shine product and “The Fireball Kid” sounds like a member of “Our Gang”.   Yeesh.

Prediction: “KenFlo” mops the mat with “The Fireball Kid” —Florian wins via stoppage.

UFC 111 was last night.  Here are my predictions and the results:

• Ricardo “Big Dog” Almeida vs Matt “The Immortal” Brown.

Prediction: The Immortal will put the Big Dog down.  Brown by TKO.
Result: Brown lost via tapout making me 0-1 for the night.

• Nate Diaz vs Rory Markham.

Prediction: Diaz by stoppage [even if he takes a beating before doing it].
Result: Diaz by stoppage in the first round, so I go to 1-1.

• Jon Fitch vs Ben “Killa B” Saunders.

Prediction: The “Killa B” loses by decision.
Result: The “Killa B” loses by decision and I jump to 2-1.

• Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino vs Fabricio “Morango” Camoes.

Prediction: Pellegrino will earn the victory.
Result: Pellegrino earned the victory via tapout and now I am 3-1.

• Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin.

Prediction:  Mir in an upset.
Result: MIr lost via 1st round stoppage and I drop to 3-2.

• Georges “Rush” St-Pierre vs Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy.

Prediction: GSP will arrest the outlaw.
Result: GSP wins all rounds and I end the night at 4-2.

60% ain’t great, but puts me ahead of the game.

Frank Mir dislikes Brock Lesnar.  Watch this video and you’ll hear Frank explain why.

Original video link: Fight Magazine.

Mir also talks about why Carwin is more dangerous than Lesnar and how both of them could beat him.  The funny thing is, although I’m writing this several days before the fight, by the time you read this, we’ll know if Carwin was able to beat Mir.

Original video link: Yahoo Sports!

Hey!  I almost forgot to post the results of my predictions for UFC Live on Versus:

• Clay “The Carpenter” Guida vs. Shannon Gugerty Prediction: “TKO/KO victory for Guida
  Result: Guida by chokeout.  1-0

• Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara vs. James “The Sandman” Irvin Prediction: Irvin
  Result: Sakara by 1st round stoppage  1-1

• Cheick Kongo vs. Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello Prediction: Kongo wins by KO.
  Result: Kongo by tapout  2-1
  

• Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos vs. Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga Prediction: Dos Santos by TKO/KO.
  Result: Dos Santos by KO  3-1
  

• Brandon “The Truth” Vera vs. Jon “Bones” Jones Prediction: “Bones” will win.
  Result: Bones by 1st round stoppage  4-1

80% ain’t bad!

The new season of The Ultimate Fighter premieres on March 31, but you can get a sneak peak at those competing for the contract by clicking here.

Earlier in the week, Frank Mir made comments that caused a lot of controversy in the mixed martial arts world.  Of course saying…

I want to fight Lesnar. I hate who he is as a person. I want to break his neck in the ring. I want him to be the first person that dies due to Octagon-related injuries.

… is bound to stir things up.  It wasn’t too long before UFC President Dana White responded to Mir’s comments by calling Mir…

a [expletive] idiot!

White went on to say…

I have never heard something so unprofessional and idiotic in my life.

Of course when the guy who writes your paychecks is upset with something you’ve said, it’s probably a good idea to apologize.  Which is what Mir did…

“I would like to apologize to Brock Lesnar, his family, the UFC and the UFC fans for my stupid remarks…

So things should have died down, but then a reporter asked Shane Carwin [Mir’s next opponent] to comment on Mir’s tirade against Brock.  Carwin hadn’t seen or heard the interview, but had this to say…

…I can tell you that ANY athlete wishing death upon a competitor is either a terrible human being or mentally unfit to fight…”

After that things quieted down… until a Sports Illustrated reporter spoke to Mir about the controversy his comments caused.  Mir admitted he was surprised to be called to the carpet…

I’ve heard people say that this is to the death. I’ve heard people say about an opponent, ‘I’m going to kill him.’ I heard Brock say he was going to put his hand up my rear end to pull out a horseshoe. I didn’t hear anyone get too upset about that.”

The SI reporter went on to say that recently fighters like BJ Penn, Chuck Liddell and even Brock Lesnar have said that they wanted to kill or murder their opponents.  So why the continued fuss over Mir’s comments?

Even Brock Lesnar didn’t seem to understand the controversy and told a Sporting News Reporter…

“It was out of line, but in the fighter’s mentality, I don’t want to go in the Octagon and kill somebody but I want to do whatever I can to win. Maybe that’s what he was saying…

So now things will, uh, die down, right?  Oh, oh, maybe not because Brock added…

“I’d really like to fight Frank Mir again … Hopefully he gets past Shane Carwin so I can give him another beatdown. For a guy to take an ass-whipping like the last one I gave him and for him to keep running his mouth, I’ve just got laugh. … I don’t know what I’ll have to do to shut him up.”

Well, at least Brock didn’t say he’d have to kill him.

Two days ago I posted about Frank Mir saying he wanted to break Brock Lesnar’s neck and he hoped that Brock would be the first to die in the octagon.  I predicted that a Mir apology would be coming soon.  I was right.

Yesterday I posted that Mir had issued an apology.  I predicted that all would be forgiven until the time that Mir and Lesnar fought for a third time.  I was wrong.

When Shane Carwin was asked about Mir’s comments said the following:

“I did not see the interview so I can’t comment on what he [Mir] might have said.  I can tell you that ANY athlete wishing death upon a competitor is either a terrible human being or mentally unfit to fight…”

Considering that Mir is Carwin’s opponent next month at UFC 111, Carwin didn’t lay it on too thick.